Stacie Cotton's Reviews
Overall, Ghost of Yotei is a perfect successor to Ghost of Tsushima. Does it improve much on its predecessor? not particularly much that is noticeable or innovative, but frankly, it’s hard to improve on a game I considered pretty perfect initially anyway. Ghost of Yotei basks in the glow of Ghost of Tsushima, and I couldn’t have been happier to cuddle up to its familiarity.
Overall, this is a hard game to score as it is aimed at a younger audience. While I personally became disengaged after a few hours, the plethora of modes and content for children, along with the overall quality of the experience, make it a great sports game for any wee ones to enjoy. The ball is definitely in the court, and a slam dunk to keep the children occupied.
Helldivers 2 dropped in a time where gamers had lost hope in soulless cash grab multiplayer games. Arrowhead knew to bring the solid gameplay, with a balanced multiplayer system and sprinkled on top a sense of sass and charisma that is unmatched by most games in a similar category.
JDM: Japanese Drift Master has a solid foundation and, thankfully, a fully transparent roadmap that shows promise for the future.
Tiny Garden is such a comfort game, but it is very much a complete cycle of monotony. The inspiration is great on the surface level, and I did enjoy it for its calming experience, but I needed a bit more to dig into.
Despite all my criticisms, this is a game that will have you swept up in the murky waters of the swamp. I was instantly wrapped up in the artistic and creative avenue it has taken, despite the combat not being the most riveting part of the gameplay.
Look Outside is such a solid title. It was appealing in many ways, from the sickening body horror portrayed stylishly to the easy-to-pick-up and play combat and RPG elements.
Flint: Treasure of Oblivion as I said is only 5 chapters so it is short, but was actually quite a decent albeit campy dive into the swashbuckling journey of Captain Flint.
Super Spy Racoon is a game I appreciated and enjoyed albeit over a short amount of time due to the lack of many levels.
Planet Coaster 2 is a sound addition to the theme park running sim genre. With fantastic customisation and unique rides, this was one great ride.
‘Empire Of The Ants’ is a refreshing and innovative look into the RTS genre. It had me hooked every step of the way, even if the gameplay variety sagged a little towards the end. The beautiful atmosphere created by the graphics and sound had me glued to the screen.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 is an explosive edition of this much loved, often hated on, series of the Call Of Duty franchise. Honestly, I have played as many Call Of Duty games as I could over my gaming years, but I haven’t enjoyed them to this degree in a long hot minute. The culmination of the Campaign, Zombies and Multiplayer make an improved and memorable time.
Innesmouth 22 is interesting, but it ends as abruptly as it starts. It has the potential to be very moving, but due to some of the imagery and lacklustre sound design, it falls a tad short of being truly inspired by the allure of the sea that H.P. Lovecraft had so strongly built.
Nomada Studio, creators of one of my fave indie titles ‘GRIS’, brings you their newest creation, ‘Neva’. Similar to the stylings of anime, ‘Princess Mononoke’, this 2D platformer is an epic adventure of a girl and her wolf. With it, they answer the age-old gamer question… “Can I pat the dog?” The answer is a profound YES.
Starfield did not entice me to stay as long as any of my beloved favourite Bethesda titles. So after a year, I have hopes that some spit and polish has been put into their new expansive DLC, ‘Starfield: Shattered Space’ to light a fire under my ass to get back into it.
This expansion is incredibly good. It is so good, that I think the narrative is much more polished and intriguing than the base game’s ever was. It is so visually impressive with some captivating end-game scenes and bosses that I couldn’t get enough of it.
I love a gaming experience with a side of tear-jerking emotion. In saying that, by opening with the disclaimer of touching on hard topics, I knew ‘Copycat’, by Indie Australian developer, Spoonful Of Wonder, was going to be an interesting ride.
Much like most civilisation-building games, there is a tactical side to it too. You will, at times, be invaded or need to smoose with other nations to form allyships. Will you sacrifice precious resources with them to become friends, or will you raise a mighty army and charge in? History is up to you.
I’m in shock. ‘Downward’ the enhanced edition had no business being as addictive as it was. Just a typical first-person, parkour adventure title, developed by Caracal Games, this game was more than meets the eye as it thrusts you into a world turned upside down…wards.
The mechanics are pretty simple to master. You can walk around the many environments you are presented with and can access a shop menu using the R3 stick.